Closure and container package with child-resistant and non-child-resistant modes of operation

ABSTRACT

A package that has both child-resistant and non-child-resistant modes of operation. A container has an end with an open mouth surrounded by a container wall with a central axis and at least one first lock element extending radially outwardly from the wall. A closure includes an annular base wall having inner and outer peripheral edges. A cylindrical skirt extends from the outer peripheral edge of the base wall, and at least one second lock element is disposed on the skirt. A projection extends axially from the inner peripheral edge of the base wall in a direction opposite from the skirt. The projection has an annular sidewall spaced radially inwardly from the outer peripheral edge of the skirt. The closure is adapted to be secured to the container in a child-resistant mode of operation with the second lock element on the skirt releasably engaged with the first lock element on the container wall, and with the inner peripheral edge of the base wall in resilient engagement with the outer surface of the container wall to bias the lock elements in engagement with each other and to seal the package. The closure is adapted to be inverted and secured to the container in a non-child-resistant mode of operation with the annular sidewall of the projection received in plug-sealing engagement within the container mouth.

Reference is made to U.S. application Ser. Nos. 10/388,293, 10/386,192and 10/378,441 assigned to the assignee of the present application.

The present invention relates to child-resistant closure and containerpackages, such as prescription packages for example, to closures andcontainers for such packages, and to methods of making such packages.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,057,159, 4,059,198 and 4,485,932 disclosechild-resistant closure and container prescription packages that includea container or vial, a closure, and a spring/seal disk arrangementdisposed between the closure and the container. The closure has lugs onan inside surface of a skirt that cooperate with external lockingnotches or pockets on projections around the mouth of the container forsecuring the closure to the container. An internal abutment on theclosure cooperates with the spring/seal disk(s) to urge the closure awayfrom the container so that the lugs are resiliently captured within thenotches. When it is desired to remove the closure, the closure is pushedtoward the container so that the lugs clear the notches, and then turnedcounterclockwise. When the closure is assembled to the container, thelugs cam beneath surfaces on the projections against the force of thespring seal disk(s) until the lugs snap into the notches on theprojections.

Although the closure and container packages disclosed in the notedpatents have enjoyed substantial commercial acceptance and success,improvements remain desirable. For example, it can be difficult foradults with impaired dexterity to push and twist the closure withrespect to the container to open the package for access to the contents.One general object of the present invention to provide a closure andcontainer package, a closure and a container for use in such a package,and/or a method of making such a package, in which the closure can besecured to the container in a child-resistant mode of operation asdescribed above, and in a non-child-resistant mode of operation for useby adults with impaired manual dexterity, for example, whenchild-resistance is not needed. It is another and more specific objectof the present invention to provide a package, a container, a closureand/or a method of the described character that achieves thenon-child-resistant mode of operation with little additional material,tooling or labor cost as compared with conventional child-resistantpackages as described in the noted patents.

Another general object of the present invention is to provide atwo-piece package of the subject type—i.e., a closure and a containerwithout a separate spring element—in which the spring forces for holdingthe closure on the container are provided by resilient flexure of eitheror both of the closure and the container. In furtherance of thisobjective, another object of the invention is to provide a package inwhich the closure and container are economical to manufacture. A furtherobjective is to provide a package that is readily suited to automatedpackaging—i.e., is automation friendly.

The present invention embodies a number of aspects that can beimplemented separately from or, more preferably, in combination witheach other.

A child-resistant package in accordance with a first aspect of thepresent invention includes a container having a wall surrounding an openmouth, a plurality of external projections extending radially outwardlyfrom the container wall at positions spaced from the mouth, notches onundersides of the projections, and an external surface on the containerwall that slopes radially inwardly and axially upwardly between theprojections and the mouth. A closure has an annular base wall with aninternal peripheral edge, an external a peripheral skirt and a pluralityof internal lugs on the skirt. The internal peripheral edge of the basewall is engagable with the sloping external wall surface of thecontainer between the projections and the mouth for both sealing thepackage and resiliently urging the closure lugs into the notches of theprojections. The holding forces can be supplied by resilient flexure ofthe closure or the container, or both. A two-piece package in accordancewith this aspect of the invention thus eliminates any need foradditional spring/seal disk elements in the assembly.

A package in accordance with another aspect of the present invention hasboth child-resistant and non-child-resistant modes of operation. Acontainer has an end with an open mouth surrounded by a container wallwith a central axis and at least one first lock element extendingradially outwardly from the wall. A closure includes an annular basewall having inner and outer peripheral edges. A cylindrical skirtextends from the outer peripheral edge of the base wall, and at leastone second lock element is disposed on the skirt. A projection extendsaxially from the inner peripheral edge of the base wall in a directionopposite from the skirt. The projection has an annular sidewall spacedradially inwardly from the outer peripheral edge of the skirt. Theclosure is adapted to be secured to the container in a child-resistantmode of operation with the at least one second lock element on the skirtreleasably engaged with the at least one first lock element on thecontainer wall, and with the inner peripheral edge of the base wall inresilient engagement with the outer surface of the container wall tobias the lock elements in engagement with each other and to seal thepackage. The closure is adapted to be inverted and secured to thecontainer in a non-child-resistant mode of operation with the annularsidewall of the dome received in plug-sealing engagement within thecontainer mouth.

In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the annular base wall ofthe closure is flat and lies in a plane between the inner and outerperipheral edges of the base wall. The inner and outer peripheral edgesof the base wall preferably are circular and concentric. In someembodiments of the invention, the portion of the container wall betweenthe lock element(s) on the container wall and the container mouth tapersin radial thickness. This container wall portion is flexible radiallyinwardly upon engagement with the inner peripheral edge of the base wallin the child-resistant mode of operation, and radially outwardly uponengagement with the closure projection in the non-child-resistant modeof operation. In one embodiment, an undercut on the inner surface of thecontainer enhances the flexibility of the container end. In otherembodiments of the invention, an external stiffening bead or ribsurrounds the container mouth to prevent flexure of the container wallportion surrounding the mouth, and the closure itself is resilientlyflexible radially outwardly in the child-resistant mode of operation forsealing the package and biasing the locking elements in engagement witheach other. In some embodiments of the invention, an external bead onthe closure projection engages an internal bead on the container wall tosecure the closure to the container in the non-child-resistant mode ofoperation. In other embodiments of the invention, an external wall onthe closure surrounds the projection and externally engages thecontainer to secure the closure to the container in thenon-child-resistant mode of operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention, together with additional objects, features and advantagesthereof, will be best understood from the following description, theappended claims and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a closure and container package inaccordance with one presently preferred embodiment of the invention in achild-resistant mode of operation;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the package illustrated inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale of the portion of FIG.2 within the area 3;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary partially sectional elevational view of thecontainer in the package of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the container in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale of the portion of FIG.5 within the area 6;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the portion of FIG. 4 withinthe area 7;

FIG. 8 is a partially sectioned elevational view of the closure in thepackage of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale of theportion of FIG. 8 within the area 9;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of the package of FIGS. 1-3 in anon-child-resistant mode of operation;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale of theportion of FIG. 10 within the area 11;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to that of FIG. 2 butshowing a modified package in accordance with the invention in achild-resistant mode of operation;

FIG. 13 is a partially sectioned elevational view similar to that ofFIG. 8 but illustrating the closure in the package of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale of theportion of FIG. 13 within the area 14;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view of the package in FIG. 12 in anon-child-resistant mode of operation;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale of theportion of FIG. 15 within the area 16;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary sectional view of a closure and containerpackage in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention in achild-resistant mode of operation;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale of theportion of FIG. 17 within the area 18;

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary sectional view of the package of FIGS. 17-18 ina non-child-resistant mode of operation;

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale of theportion of FIG. 19 within the area 20;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary sectional view that illustrates a package inaccordance with a further embodiment of the invention in achild-resistant mode of operation;

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale of theportion of FIG. 21 within the area 22;

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary sectional view of the package of FIGS. 21-22 ina non-child-resistant mode of operation;

FIG. 24 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale of theportion of FIG. 23 within the area 24;

FIGS. 25 and 26 are fragmentary sectional views of respective additionalembodiments of the invention; and

FIGS. 27 and 28 are respective fragmentary sectional views of acontainer and a closure in accordance with another embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-3 and 10-11 illustrate a package 30 in accordance with onepresently preferred embodiment of the invention. Package 30 includes acontainer or vial 32 and a closure 34 secured to container 32 either ina child-resistant mode of operation illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, or in anon-child-resistant mode of operation illustrated in FIGS. 10-11.

Referring in particular to FIGS. 4-7, container 32 includes a sidewall36 and a bottom wall 38. A circumferential array of projections 40extend radially outwardly near the upper end of sidewall 38. Eachprojection 40 has a downwardly facing notch or pocket 42 for receivinglocking lugs on the closure in a child-resistant mode of operation, anda cam surface 44 for camming the lugs into notches 42. Projections 40lie in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the container. A portion 46of container wall 36 extends upwardly from the plane of projections 40.As best seen in FIG. 7, the portion 46 of container wall 36 that extendsupwardly from projections 40 preferably tapers narrowingly in radialthickness toward the upper end or edge 48 that surrounds the mouth 50 ofthe container. The radially outwardly facing surface 52 of wall portion46 preferably is conical, while the inner surface 54 preferably issubstantially cylindrical (ignoring draft angle). (Directional wordssuch as “upwardly” and “downwardly” are employed by way of descriptionand not limitation with respect to the upright orientation of thecontainer illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, 7 and 10-11. Directional words suchas “radial” and “axial” are employed by way of description and notlimitation with respect to the central axis of the closure or containeras appropriate.) A circumferential bead 56 extends radially inwardlyfrom inner surface 54 of the container wall. Bead 56 iscircumferentially segmented in the embodiment of FIGS. 4-7, comprisingcircumferentially spaced axially and radially enlarged segments 56 aseparated from each other by smaller segments 56 b. Bead 56 is spacedfrom upper end 48 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-11, being disposedradially inwardly of projections 40 as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 7.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-9, closure 34 includes an annular base wall 58.Base wall 58 preferably is flat, lying in a plane perpendicular to theaxis of the closure, having concentric circular inner and outerperipheral edges 60, 62. A cylindrical skirt 64 extends from outerperipheral edge 60, and has a plurality of circumferentially spaced lugs66 extending radially inwardly from the inner surface of the skirt in aplane spaced from base wall 58. A projection generally indicated at 68extends from inner peripheral edge 62 of base wall 60 coaxially withskirt 64 and in an opposite direction from the skirt. Projection 68 maybe either hollow, as shown, or solid. Projection 68 in the embodiment ofFIGS. 8-9 includes a conical wall portion 70 contiguous with innerperipheral edge 62 of base wall 58, and a stepped annular wall portion72 having a substantially cylindrical radially outwardly facing surface74. An axially facing end wall 76 closes the end of wall 72, andpreferably is flat for provision of suitable labeling or the like. Itwill be noted in FIG. 9 that the inner surface of conical wall portion70 forms an extension from inner peripheral edge 62 of annular base wall58, which is to say that inner peripheral edge 62 preferably is conicalin construction, for purposes to be described. A circumferential bead 78extends radially outwardly from wall portion 72 of closure projection 68adjacent to end wall 76.

In a child-resistant mode of operation illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, skirt64 of closure 34 is received over the open end of container wall 36, andinner peripheral edge 62 of closure base wall 58 engages outer surface52 of container wall portion 46. Continued downward movement of theclosure with respect to the container flexes container wall portion 46radially inwardly. Clockwise rotation of the closure on the containercams closure lugs 66 over surfaces 44 (FIG. 4) on container projections40 until lugs 66 lock into projection notches 42. The angles of taper ofclosure base wall inner peripheral edge 62 and container wall surface52, and the flexibility of container wall portion 46, preferably aresuch that there is full surface sealing engagement between edge 62 andsurface 52, as best seen in FIG. 3, in the fully closed position of theclosure on the container in the child-resistant mode of operation. Innerperipheral edge 62 of the closure base wall 58 thus cooperates withcontainer wall portion 46 both to seal the package in thechild-resistant mode of operation and resiliently to urge closurelocking lugs 66 into container locking notches 42. To remove theclosure, the closure is manually urged axially downwardly over thecontainer against the force of wall portion 46 until the closure lugsclear the projection notches, and the closure is then turnedcounterclockwise.

In the non-child-resistant mode of operation illustrated in FIGS. 10-11,closure 34 is inverted (as compared with FIGS. 1-3) and projection 68 isinserted into container mouth 50. Annular surface 74 is brought intoengagement with inside surface 54 of container wall portion 46 forplug-sealing the closure within the container. In the meantime, bead 78on closure 34 is received by snap fit over bead 56 on container 32 tosecure the closure in the non-child-resistant position. Container wallportion 46 flexes radially outwardly upon engagement with closure wallsurface 74 to enhance the sealing engagement between surfaces 74, 54.

FIGS. 12-28 illustrate packages, closures and containers in accordancewith modified embodiments of the invention. Reference numerals in FIGS.12-28 that are identical to those in FIGS. 1-11 indicate similarcomponents. The descriptions of FIGS. 12-28 will concentrate primarilyon differences as compared with FIGS. 1-11 and with each other.

FIGS. 12-16 illustrate a package 80 that includes a closure 82 mountedon a container 84 in a child-resistant mode of operation in FIG. 12, andin a non-child-resistant mode of operation in FIGS. 15 and 16. Container84 is similar to container 32 discussed in detail above in connectionwith FIGS. 1-11, except that the bead for securing the closure to thecontainer in the non-child-resistant mode of operation comprises acircumferentially segmented bead 86 (FIG. 12). Likewise, closure 82 inFIGS. 12-16 is similar to closure 34 in FIGS. 1-11, except that theannular wall 88 in closure 82 is a single cylindrical wall portion(ignoring draft angle), as distinguished from the stepped wall 72 inclosure 34. In closure 82, projection 68 has a radially outwardly facingcircumferential rib or bead 92 that is formed by an undercut 90 inannular wall 88. In assembly, this undercut 90 is received by snap fitover internal bead 86 on container 84 to secure the closure in positionin the non-child-resistant mode of operation illustrated in FIGS. 15 and16. Annular wall 88 of closure 82 has radially outwardly facing surface74 in full sealing contact with radially inwardly facing surface 54 ofcontainer wall portion 46. Thus, once again, as in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-11, container wall portion 46 functions to seal the package inboth the child-resistant and the non-child-resistant modes of operation,and resiliently captures the closure on the container in both modes ofoperation.

FIGS. 17-20 illustrate a package 100 in accordance with a furtherembodiment of the invention in a child-resistant mode of operation(FIGS. 17-18) and a non-child-resistant mode of operation (FIGS. 19-20).Package 100 includes a container 102 and a closure 104. Container 102 isillustrated as including a body 106 having a cylindrical finish 108.(This same type of container may be employed in FIGS. 1-16, while thevial-type containers of FIGS. 1-16 can be employed in the packages ofFIGS. 17-24.) A circumferential array of projections 40 extend radiallyoutwardly from finish 108, and have notches 42 for capturing closure 104in the child-resistant mode of operation (FIGS. 17-18). An external ribor bead 114 extends circumferentially around the upper edge of containerfinish 108 surrounding container mouth 116. Bead 114 serves to thickenand rigidify the upper end of the container finish. Bead 114 has anaxially facing outer surface 124 and a radially outwardly facing surface118 that is conical in geometry, narrowing axially toward surface 124and the open mouth of the container.

Closure 104 includes annular base wall 58 having an outer peripheraledge from which cylindrical skirt 64 extends. Lugs 66 extend radiallyinwardly from skirt 64 for capture within notches 42 on lugs 40. Conicalwall 70 extends from inner peripheral edge 62 of base wall 58, forming aconical surface extension of the inner peripheral edge of the base wall,as discussed in detail above in connection with FIGS. 1-11. Thus, as inthe previous embodiments, inner peripheral edge 62 of base wall 58cooperates with external surface 118 surrounding the container mouthboth for sealing the package and for resiliently capturing the closureon the container in the child-resistant mode of operation. However, inthe embodiment of FIGS. 17-20 (and the embodiment of FIGS. 21-24), theresiliency for biasing the closure to the locked position is provided byoutward flexure of closure base wall 58 rather than inward flexure ofcontainer finish 108, which is strengthened and rigidified by bead 114.

Projection 68 of closure 104 has annular wall 72 with a radiallyoutwardly facing surface 74. An annular seal bead 120 is disposed on astep 122 of projection 68 for axial abutting engagement with outer endsurface 124 of container finish 108 in the non-child-resistant mode ofoperation (FIGS. 19 and 20). Surface 74 of wall 72 is in plug-sealingengagement within mouth 116 of container finish 108, as in the priorembodiments. A cylindrical wall 125 extends from the outer peripheraledge of base wall 58 as an axial extension of closure skirt 64 andradially outwardly surrounding projection 68. Each projection 40 oncontainer finish 108 has a downwardly facing ledge 127, with the ledges127 of the several projections 40 lying in a plane perpendicular to theaxis of the container finish. Closure wall 125 has a radially inwardlyextending circumferential bead 129 that is received by snap fit overledges 127 of the several projections 40 to secure closure 104 ininverted position (FIGS. 19 and 20) in the non-child-resistant mode ofoperation.

FIGS. 21-24 illustrate a closure and container package 126 inchild-resistant (FIGS. 21-22) and non-child-resistant (FIGS. 23-24)modes of operation. Package 126 includes a container 102 that issubstantially the same as container 102 in FIGS. 17-20 but need notinclude projection shoulders 127, and a closure 128 secured to thecontainer. Closure 128 includes annular base wall 58 with outerperipheral skirt 64 and lugs 66 for receipt in notches 42 of projections40 on container finish 108. Closure 128 also includes a conical wall 70that extends from inner peripheral edge 62 of closure base wall 58,forming a continuous conical surface that cooperates with conicalsurface 118 of a strengthening bead 114 around the container mouth.Thus, as in the embodiment of FIGS. 17-20, closure base wall 58cooperates with surface 118 on strengthening bead 114 both to seal thepackage in the child-resistant mode of operation (FIGS. 21-22) and tourge locking lugs 66 into locking engagement with container finishprojections 40. Projection 68 of closure 128 includes annular wall 72with radially outwardly facing surface 74 that abuts the radiallyinwardly facing surface of container finish 108 in thenon-child-resistant mode of operation (FIGS. 23-24). There is also axialabutment between opposed surfaces of the container and closure in thenon-child-resistant mode of operation for additional sealing integrity.A seal bead may be provided on closure 128, such as seal bead 120 in theembodiment of FIGS. 17-20. A circumferentially continuous flexibleresilient lip or wall 130 extends around closure 128 radially outwardlyspaced from surface 74 of projection wall 72 for interference fit overbead 114 on container finish 108 removably to capture closure 128 oncontainer 102 in the non-child-resistant mode of operation (FIGS.23-24).

FIG. 25 illustrates a child-resistant package 140 that includes aclosure 142 and a container 144. An undercut or channel 146 extendscircumferentially around the inside surface of container wall 36 tofacilitate inward flexure of upper wall portion 46. Undercut or channel146 in FIG. 25 is radially inward from the upper surfaces of projections42. Thus, as in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-16, the resilient forces thatprovide child-resistance come from inward flexure of wall portion 46 inFIG. 25.

FIG. 26 illustrates a package 150 that includes a closure 152 and acontainer 154. Container 154 is similar to container 32 in FIGS. 1-6,except that projections 40 are provided on an external ledge 156 thatextends radially outwardly from wall 36 entirely around the container.Ledge 156 facilitates pick up of container 154 by automated fillingapparatus, and thus makes package 150 more automation friendly. Closure152 is similar to closure 34 in FIGS. 1-3 and 8-11, except that an outerwall 158 is provided around projection 68. Outer wall 158 is an axialextension of skirt 64, and serves to hide projections 40 when closure152 is assembled to container 154 in a non-child-resistant mode ofoperation.

FIGS. 27 and 28 respectively illustrate a container 160 and a closure162 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Container160 (FIG. 27) has a finish wall 36 from which a child-resistant element164 projects. Element 164 is as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,348.Finish wall 36 has one or more external threads 166 and an internalcircumferential groove or channel 168 adjacent the open end of thefinish. Closure 162 (FIG. 28) has a skirt 177 with one or more internalthreads 170 and an internal lug 172 for cooperation with containerelement 164 (FIG. 27) as taught by the above-noted patent. Projection 68extends from the inner periphery of base wall 58. Sidewall 72 ofprojection 68 has a conical external surface 174 adjacent to the basewall, and has a circumferentially continuous or segmented external bead176 spaced from the base wall. In the child-resistant mode of operation,the package of container 160 and closure 162 operates as in theabove-noted patent. In the non-child-resistant mode of operation,projection 68 is received within the mouth of the container. Bead 176 onclosure projection 68 is received by snap fit within channel 168 incontainer wall 36. Closure surface 174 is in plug sealing engagementwith the inside diameter of the container mouth.

There have thus been disclosed a closure and container package, aclosure, a container, and a method of making a closure and containerpackage that fully satisfy all of the objects and aims previously setforth. The invention has been disclosed in conjunction with a number ofpresently preferred embodiments, and additional modifications andvariations have also been described. Other modifications and variationswill readily suggest themselves to persons of ordinary skill in the art.The invention is intended to embrace all such modifications andvariations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appendedclaims.

1. A child-resistant package that includes: a container having a container wall surrounding an open mouth, a plurality of external projections extending radially outwardly from said container wall at positions spaced from said mouth, notches on undersides of said projections, and an external surface on said container wall that slopes radially inwardly and axially upwardly between said projections and said mouth, and a closure having an annular base wall with a peripheral skirt, a plurality of internal lugs on said skirt, and an internal peripheral edge on said base wall, said internal peripheral edge of said base wall being engagable with said sloping external wall surface of said container wall for sealing said package and for resiliently urging said lugs into said notches.
 2. The package set forth in claim 1 wherein said container wall is radially resiliently flexible around said mouth, being adapted to flex radially inwardly upon engagement with said inner peripheral edge of said base wall for resiliently urging said lugs into said notches and sealing said closure to said container.
 3. The package set forth in claim 2 wherein said container wall tapers in radial thickness surrounding said mouth.
 4. The package set forth in claim 2 wherein said container includes an internal channel in said container wall adjacent to an end of said container wall to facilitate inward flexure of said wall around said mouth.
 5. The package set forth in claim 1 wherein said container wall is radially inflexible around said mouth, and wherein said closure is adapted to flex radially outwardly around said base wall for axially urging said lugs into said notches.
 6. The package set forth in claim 5 wherein said container wall includes an external bead surrounding said mouth and stiffening said wall against radial flexure around said mouth, said external surface being a conical surface on said bead.
 7. The package set forth in claim 1 wherein said base wall is flat and planar.
 8. The package set forth in claim 1 wherein said container has an external ledge that extends radially outwardly from said wall and on which said projections are disposed.
 9. A package having child-resistant and non-child-resistant modes of operation, which includes: a container having an end with an open mouth surrounded by a container wall with a central axis and an outer surface surrounding said mouth, and at least one first lock element extending radially outwardly from said wall, and a closure that includes an annular base wall having inner and outer peripheral edges, a cylindrical skirt extending from said outer peripheral edge of said base wall, at least one second lock element on said skirt, and a projection extending axially from said inner peripheral edge of said base wall in a direction opposite from said skirt, said projection having an annular sidewall spaced radially inwardly from said outer peripheral edge of said skirt, said closure being adapted to be secured to said container in a child-resistant mode of operation with said at least one second lock element on said skirt releasably engaged with said at least one first lock element on said container wall, and with said inner peripheral edge of said base wall in engagement with said outer surface of said container wall to bias said lock elements in engagement with each other and to seal said package, said closure being adapted to be secured to said container in a non-child-resistant mode of operation with said annular sidewall of said projection received in plug-sealing engagement within said container mouth.
 10. The package set forth in claim 9 wherein said base wall is flat lying in a plane between said inner and outer peripheral edges, and wherein said inner and outer peripheral edges are circular and concentric.
 11. The package set forth in claim 9 wherein said container wall is radially resiliently flexible around said mouth, flexing radially inwardly from engagement with said inner peripheral edge of said base wall in said child-resistant mode of operation and radially outwardly from engagement with said annular wall in said non-child-resistant mode of operation.
 12. The package set forth in claim 11 wherein said container wall tapers in radial thickness surrounding said mouth.
 13. The package set forth in claim 11 wherein said container includes an internal channel in said container wall adjacent to an end of said container wall to facilitate inward flexure of said wall around said mouth.
 14. The package set forth in claim 11 wherein said projection on said closure includes a conical sidewall that extends between said annular sidewall and said inner peripheral edge of said base wall, said conical sidewall having an inner surface that engages said outer surface of said container wall in said child-resistant mode of operation.
 15. The package set forth in claim 9 wherein said container wall is radially inflexible around said mouth, and wherein said closure is adapted to flex radially outwardly around said base wall for radially urging said lugs into said notches.
 16. The package set forth in claim 15 wherein said wall of said container wall includes a radially outwardly extending external bead surrounding said mouth and stiffening said container wall against radial flexure around said mouth, said bead having a conical outer surface for engagement by said inner peripheral edge of said base wall in said child-resistant mode of operation to flex said base wall radially outwardly.
 17. The package set forth in claim 16 wherein said closure includes a flexible resilient wall spaced radially outwardly from said annular wall of said projection for resiliently embracing said bead on said container wall in said non-child-resistant mode of operation.
 18. The package set forth in claim 9 wherein said container has a circumferential bead extending radially inwardly from an inside surface of said container wall adjacent to said mouth, and wherein said closure has a radially outwardly extending circumferential bead on said projection annular wall for snap-fit over said bead on said container wall in said non-child-resistant mode of operation.
 19. The package set forth in claim 18 wherein said bead on said container is circumferentially discontinuous.
 20. The package set forth in claim 9 wherein said closure includes a wall extending from said outer peripheral edge of said base wall in a direction opposite from said skirt for engaging said at least one first lock element on said container in said non-child-resistant mode of operation.
 21. The package set forth in claim 20 wherein said at least one first lock element includes a plurality of projections on said container wall, said projections having shoulders in a common plane, and wherein said wall extending from said outer peripheral edge has an internal bead for engagement over said shoulders in said non-child-resistant mode of operation.
 22. The package set forth in claim 9 wherein said closure includes a wall extending from said outer peripheral edge of said base wall for covering said at least one first lock element on said container when said projection is received within the container mouth.
 23. A closure for receipt on a container in child-resistant and non-child-resistant modes of operation, which includes: an annular base wall having concentric circular inner and outer peripheral edges, a cylindrical skirt extending from said outer peripheral edge of said base wall, at least one lock element on said skirt, and a projection extending axially from said inner peripheral edge of said base wall coaxially with said skirt and in a direction opposite from said skirt, said inner peripheral edge of said base wall having a radially inwardly facing surface for radial external engagement with an opposing external surface on a container.
 24. The closure set forth in claim 23 wherein said radially inwardly facing surface is conical, narrowing toward said projection.
 25. A closure for receipt on a container, which includes: an annular base wall having concentric circular inner and outer peripheral edges, a cylindrical skirt extending from said outer peripheral edge of said base wall, and at least one internal lock element on said skirt, said inner peripheral edge of said base wall having an angulated surface for engaging and flexing an open end of a container.
 26. A container for a child-resistant package, which includes: a wall surrounding an open mouth, a plurality of external projections extending radially outwardly from said wall at positions spaced from said mouth and notches on undersides of said projections, said wall having a portion that narrows in radial thickness between said projections and said mouth and having a radially outwardly facing conical wall surface, said portion of said wall being adapted resiliently to flex radially inwardly upon engagement of a closure to bias lugs on the closure into locking engagement with said notches.
 27. The container set forth in claim 26 having a circumferential bead extending radially inwardly from an inside surface of said wall adjacent to said mouth.
 28. The container set forth in claim 27 wherein said bead lies in a plane spaced from said mouth.
 29. The container set forth in claim 28 wherein said bead is circumferentially segmented.
 30. The container set forth in claim 26 wherein said container includes an internal channel in said container wall adjacent to an end of said container wall to facilitate inward flexure of said wall around said mouth.
 31. The container set forth in claim 26 wherein said container has an external ledge that extends radially outwardly from said wall and on which said projections are disposed.
 32. A method of making a package having child-resistant and non-child-resistant modes of operation, which includes the steps of: (a) providing a container having an end with an open mouth surrounded by a container wall with a central axis and an outer surface surrounding said mouth, and at least one first lock element extending radially outwardly from said wall, and (b) providing a closure that includes an annular base wall having innerand outer peripheral edges, a cylindrical skirt extending from said outer peripheral edge of said base wall, at least one second lock element on said skirt, and a dome extending axially from said inner peripheral edge of said base wall in a direction opposite from said skirt, said dome having an annular sidewall spaced radially inwardly from said outer peripheral edge of said skirt, said closure being adapted to be secured to said container in a child-resistant mode of operation with said at least one second lock element on said skirt releasably engaged with said at least one first lock element on said container wall, and with said inner peripheral edge of said base wall in resilient engagement with said outer surface of said container wall to bias said lock elements in engagement with each other and to seal said package, said closure being adapted to be secured to said container in a non-child-resistant mode of operation with said annular sidewall of said dome received in plug-sealing engagement within said container mouth.
 33. A package having child-resistant and non-child-resistant modes of operation, which includes: a container having an end with an open mouth surrounded by a wall with a central axis, at least one first lock element extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of said wall, a radially inwardly facing surface on said wall adjacent to said end, and an internal channel on spaced radially inwardly facing surface spaced from said end, and a closure that includes a base wall, a cylindrical skirt extending from an outer peripheral edge of said base wall, at least one second lock element on said skirt, and a projection extending axially from said base wall in a direction opposite from said skirt, said projection on said closure having a sidewall spaced radially inwardly from said outer peripheral edge of said base wall, a radially outwardly facing surface on said sidewall adjacent to said base wall, and a radially outwardly extending circumferential bead on a side of said radially outwardly facing surface spaced from said base wall, said closure being secured to said container in a child-resistant mode of operation with said second lock element on said skirt releasably engaged with said first lock element on said container, said closure being secured to said container in a non-child-resistant mode of operation with said projection received within said container mouth, with said radially outwardly facing surface on said projection sidewall adjacent to said base wall-in sealing engagement with said radially inwardly facing surface on said container wall adjacent to said end, and with said radially outwardly extending circumferential bead on said projection received by releasable snap-fit retention within said internal channel to secure said closure to said container. 